Baseball Splits With #17 Panthers

Yas Gutierrez (17) hit two homers on the day, including a game-winning grand slam in game two. Photo by Joel Auerbach.

MELBOURNE, Fla.—The Barry Buccaneers split a Sunshine State Conference baseball doubleheader with the 17th-ranked Florida Tech Panthers on Sunday at Seminick-Hall Field, falling 12-5 in the opener, but coming back to win the finale 8-4.

In the second game, the Bucs (11-7, 1-2 SSC) trailed 3-1 heading into the sixth inning, but used the long ball to come back for the win. The Bucs scored two in the sixth to tie and then exploded for five runs in the seventh to take the game.

In the sixth, Matt Petty drew a one-out walk and Anthony Iglesias followed with a shot over the right field wall to knot the game at 3-3.

In the seventh, Julio Ramos led off with a single and Nick Shaw and Drew Dwelly followed with bunt singles to load the bases. Yas Gutierrez stepped up and blasted a shot to dead center field for a grand slam to give the Bucs the lead. After a single, Petty ripped an RBI double.

Scott Sexton (1-2) pitched the final two innings to get the win in relief of Charley Short. Sexton did not allow a hit, but walked four, giving up one run and struck out one.

In the opener, the Bucs could not overcome the Panthers’ power as Michael Demma hit two homers and Jose Vaazquez added one in a 12-5 win. Tech (18-4, 5-3 SSC) scored five runs in the sixth to break open a 4-4 ball game.

T.J. Mullins (2-1) gave up five runs on five hits in 0.2 innings to take the loss for Barry. James Mannara (3-1) worked the final 4.1 innings to earn the win for Tech.

The Bucs come home on Tuesday, Mar. 16 to host the Caldwell Cougars in a doubleheader starting at 4:00 pm.